Jay and Silent Bob Take Minneapolis

April 30, 2015

Earlier this year it was announced Minneapolis would be holding it’s second annual Comic Con in May. I knew we had one last year because Tommy, the White Power Ranger was there and I almost went solely for that. Now I’ll be real – Comic Con isn’t an event I pay much attention to. I’ve seen some of the superhero movies here and there and definitely enjoyed a few of them extensively, but they aren’t things I get super amped about. As the big names from X-Files and Doctor Who were rolling in as listed guest appearances, I couldn’t do much but shrug. That all changed with the announcement of a few unusual guests. None other than Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith otherwise known as Jay and Silent Bob. That’s the type of people I get excited to attend Comic Con for. I’m a weird one, I know.

Kevin Smith is the official ribbon cutter at opening ceremonies and doing a special Q & A. Jason Mewes will (most likely) be at the Q & A, but is also signing autographs and meeting fans throughout the weekend. You can bet I snatched up tickets for both of these things. Friday baby! I’m really hoping I can somehow have luck and bump into them on the street and get a Jay and Silent Bob selfie because that’d be epic.

I don’t remember exactly when, but sometime while I was a teenager I stumbled upon the film Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and laughed my bum off. From there on I spent an entire weekend binge watching the entire Askewniverse series. While the movies featuring Jay and Silent Bob may not be for everyone, I loved them. That feeling was only strengthened when I learned Mallrats was filmed here in Minnesota at the Eden Prairie mall, a place I have frequented often. (Hey Kevin Smith with the announcement of Mallrats 2, if you film here and need an assistant or stand in or ANYTHING – drop me a line.) Plus, nobody knows how to throw an impromptu dance party like Jay and Silent Bob.

I’m known to drop pop culture references all the time and you can bet a few Jay and Silent Bob-isms have seeped into my vocabulary. I formed one of my finest friendships because she cracked up when I said snoochie boochies at work. That same friend and I have pondered dressing up as the female version of Jay and Silent Bob for a costume party sometime – yet to happen, but it’d be a fun idea.

Many famous people seem to have a soft spot for Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes’ characters they’ve created. Each film in the askewniverse seems to have endless celebrity cameos. There’s the standard crew appearing in almost every movie: Jason Lee, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon. But, it doesn’t end there. Everyone from Will Ferrel to John Stewart to Alan Rickman to Princess freaking Leia (Carrie Fisher) have appeared in the most offbeat roles.

Past the characters and movies, both Smith and Mewes are interesting men with an even more fascinating friendship. I spent hours Wiki-ing it one day.

The Askewniverse Movie Series

The askewniverse is a series of characters in different story lines and settings that have spanned from 1995 onward. There have been six live action and one cartoon films. While the movies aren’t for everyone, the askewniverse has developed a strong following. If you like raunchy and borderline ridiculously dumb humor (think Super Troopers, Grandma’s Boy, or Pineapple Express) and you haven’t seen any of these movies – I would recommend them all.

*This post taught me I need to learn how to make gifs STAT because it was impossible to find the jokes I really wanted from each movie. Lesson learned.*

Mallrats (1995)

Chasing Amy (1997)

Summary: Holden and Banky are comic book artists. Everything’s going good for them until they meet Alyssa, also a comic book artist. Holden falls for her, but his hopes are crushed when he finds out she’s gay.

Clerks II (2006)

Summary: A calamity at Dante and Randall’s shops sends them looking for new horizons – but they ultimately settle at Mooby’s, a fictional Disney-McDonald’s-style fast-food empire.

Since the original announcement of Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes they’ve also announced The Phelps Twins aka The Weasley Twins and I’m just as excited for that appearance, but Harry Potter is a “normal” fandom. This will be my first time attending a Comic Con or any kind of fan festival. I’m a little nervous because I know how intense fandoms can get.

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About Kati Rose

One day I woke up and decided I wanted to live a life surrounded by all the pleasures I love most. Music, travel, fashion, art, photography, entertainment, and more! Join my on my everyday adventures at Constantly Seeking Wonder!